We use cookies to give you the best browsing experience and to provide you with relevant content and advertising. By continuing to use our website you are accepting our use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy

Finding your perfect career match: head vs. heart

Published: 07 Feb 2017

Finding love and finding the right career match involves a remarkably similar process. We’re often torn between two conflicting ideals: to take a risk and hope that it pays off, or stay safe and comfortable but potentially miss out on a better proposal. Should we follow our hearts or our heads when it comes to the big decisions in our lives? It’s a tricky question to answer as we all have our own paths to follow, but what we can discuss are the things that can help our careers and methods that could provide a helping hand.

The head

Your head is where objective thinking takes place. The head can also become a headquarters for fear and scrutiny, often disguised as ‘rational thinking.’ It’s where we develop our pros and cons and reasons why something isn’t quite right for us. Here are four negative thoughts that can hinder a job search:

We tend to over-estimate the probability of something going wrong when we’re nervous

We naturally imagine dire and dramatic consequences that are disproportionate

Rank how each option on how likely it will fulfil your career goals, and perhaps more importantly, which options will make you happy

Tally up your results to reveal the best course of action for you

Take notice of any thoughts that come into your mind at this point, because it’s very hard to be truly objective when we’re emotionally invested in a brand, project or industry. If your gut rejects your result, remove that option then redo the process until you’re satisfied.

The heart

Most people will tell you that it’s healthy to take a risk once in a while. ‘Take a leap of faith’, ‘Follow your intuition’, ‘Don’t follow the status quo’; there are plenty of reasons why we shouldn’t underestimate our inner strengths, but it is easier said than done. Humans are naturally wired to be risk averse, so we often resort to making decisions with our heads and push gut intuitions to the back of the queue. Many of us put up our own restrictive barriers when we’re presented with a more challenging job prospect. Reasons for this, according to research conducted by the Harvard Business Review, include:

Giving up at the first hurdle because our experience does not meet the required qualifications

A lack of confidence towards our abilities

Adhering to guidelines set out by an employer on who should apply.

Following our gut instincts can be difficult, but the benefits of risk-taking are rooted in solid, scientific reason. The knowledge we cram into our brains, most of which is pushed out by other bits of information as time goes on is called explicit memory. What we learn through little to no effort - the memories or information we can conjure up effortlessly - is called implicit or unconscious memory. These latter memories act as indicators for where our true passions lie, what drives us, and how we should spend our time. So, if you’re struggling at work, it may be because you’re just not that interested.

The truth is…

In business, you’ll need to make decisions that require a considered approach, using both your head and your heart. Whether these decisions are conscious or subconscious, understanding where your passions lie is the first step toward career success and longevity. Other key lessons for keeping a clear vision of what you really want include:

If finding your career match means taking yourself out of your comfort zone, don’t be afraid to be different

Remembering to listen to others. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice from family and friends

…but don’t let the judgements and opinions of others cloud your vision of what your perfect career looks like

Learn the value of constructive feedback to develop yourself as a candidate and employee.

We help local people find local jobs! With over 100 collective years of recruitment and careers experience, we proudly support local communities with the best possible access to jobs, skills, training and careers information they need to be successful. Click here to find out more about LoveLocalJobs.com or set up your own candidate account to find your perfect career match.